Agenda and draft minutes

The meeting of the Council will be called to order to receive Her Worship The Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The meeting of the Council was called to order to receive Her Worship.

To receive apologies for absence from Members to determine the quorum of the meeting in accordance with Rule 7 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

An apology for absence was received from Councillors M L Darr, F S Ghattoraya, G G Hunt, J Kaufman, R E R Morris and C A M Walter.

It was moved by Councillor S Z Haq, seconded by Councillor L A Bentley, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

Councillor R H Adams be appointed as the acting Deputy Mayor for the duration of the meeting.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

None.

To read, confirm and approve the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 19 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 April 2025 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 May 2025 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

To read, confirm and note the Action List arising from the previous meeting.

There was no Action List(s) arising from the previoius meeting(s).

To consider any Motions on Notice in accordance with Rule 14 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

Proposed by Councillor Michael H Charlesworth

The Council gave consideration to the Motion on Notice (as set out at page 12 of the agenda reports pack) regarding the allocation of committee seats.

The Legal & Democratic Services Manager / Monitoring Officer advised that this motion was based on a different interpretation of the legislation than was currently used by this Council and that both interpretations of the legislation were valid.

It was moved by Councillor M H Charlesworth, seconded by Councillor C S Gore, and

REJECTED THAT:

i)            The Council applies the current legislation according to this interpretation ensuring all Members play a full and active role within Council; and

ii)           The Council’s constitution be amended to reflect this interpretation of the legislation.

For                  7

Against          13

Abstentions  0

It was moved by Councillor S Z Haq, seconded by Councillor L A Bentley, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The motion be brought to the Constitutional Working Group for consideration.

For                  13

Against          0

Abstentions  7

Proposed by Councillor Samia Z Haq

The Council gave consideration to the Motion on Notice (as set out at page 13 of the agenda reports pack) regarding local government reorganisation.

It was moved by Councillor N Alam, seconded by Councillor J K Ford, and

REJECTED THAT:

The motion be amended to remove the following wording: “… because of the failure of successive Conservative and Labour Governments to properly address social services and SEND funding shortfalls.”

For                  7

Against          11

Abstentions  2

It was moved by Councillor S Z Haq, seconded by Councillor L A Bentley, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Council instruct its Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister to set out the Council's position and to communicate this with other local authorities in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland.

For                  14

Against          0

Abstentions  6

To receive any Petitions, Deputations and, or, to answer any Questions by Members or the Public in accordance with Rule(s) 11, 12, 13 and 10 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Petitions Procedure Rules respectively.

Question by Councillor Michael H Charlesworth

The Head of Built Environment, on behalf of the Leader of the Council, provided the response (as set out on page 15 of the agenda reports pack) to the Question on Notice (as set out on page 14 of the agenda reports pack) as posed by Councillor M H Charlesworth in relation to planning committee reform.

Councillor M H Charlesworth asked a supplementary question requesting that Members receive submissions so they could be aware of the technical consultation. The Chief Executive Officer / Head of Paid Service confirmed that Members would receive the submissions.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor in accordance with Rule 2 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

The Mayor thanked everyone for their support of her mayoralty and acknowledged the importance of education for young people’s futures and for the country’s future, having had an enjoyable time attending the graduation ceremony of University of Leicester students at De Montfort Hall.

Councillor M H Charlesworth requested that the Mayor’s webpage be updated as it had some out-of-date information on it. The Legal & Democratic Services Manager / Monitoring Officer confirmed it would be updated.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The list of Official Engagements attended by The Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor be noted.

To receive any statement from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Article 2.9.2(ii) of Part 2 of the Constitution.

The Leader of the Council presented a statement outlining her administration and party’s ongoing and steadfast commitment to keeping the borough outside of the city’s jurisdiction and maintaining its independence. The Leader of the Council also thanked Officer’s for their hard work and gave a special thanks to the soon to be retired Monitoring Officer, David Gill, for all his hard work protecting this Council and wished him a happy retirement.

Councillor Loydall asked the Leader to also thank on the record the Police Officer’s that came to give a briefing to Members prior to the meeting. The Leader of the Council thanked Councillor Loydall for the reminder and thanked the Police Officer’s for their briefing and all their hard work.

Report of the Safety and Resilience Officer

The Council have consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 17 – 28 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval for the annual health and safety review for 2024/25.

It was moved by Councillor Boulter, seconded by Councillor Loydall, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The Full Health and Safety Annual Report (2024/25) (as set out in Appendix 1) be approved; and

ii)           The HS.001.P1 Health and Safety Policy and Statement (May 2025) (as set out in Appendix 2) be approved.